There’s Increased Interest in Becoming a Travel Agent, as the Number of New Advisors Rises

There is a new wave of people entering the travel industry, according to a recent survey by TravelAge West, part of the Need to Know research series. Nearly 200 advisor respondents took the survey, and 43% say that they personally know someone who has joined the industry for the first time — this is more than double the number (21%) recorded in a similar poll a year ago.

These new-to-the-profession recruits are helping to make up for the people who have left the industry during the past few years. Well over half of respondents (58%) say they know a travel advisor who has left the industry. Overall, about a third (29%) of agencies are hiring, slightly more than last year (24%).

In general, most advisors have a more favorable opinion of the profession this year than they did in 2021 — 70% would have no problem recommending the career to a young friend or family member, compared to 57% last year.

As an industry — and this includes each and every travel advisor out there — we must do a better job promoting this as a business, not a transactional relationship with the consumer as a convenience.

Despite all the new blood entering the field, the number of advisors under 30 has decreased slightly, according to respondents. This year, 6% say they work with more than five people under the age of 30, while last year it was 8%. 

In fact, 68% of advisors feel that the industry has not done a good job attracting the next generation of advisors (compared to 70% last year), even though 73% say it is important to bring in new agents (68% agreed with that sentiment in 2021).

RELATED: How to Become a Travel Agent  

According to respondents, the top two hurdles to recruiting new advisors are low compensation (41%) and not enough awareness of the profession as an option (31%).

“It doesn’t surprise me that one of the biggest hurdles is the perception that the compensation is too low,” said Jenn Lee, vice president of industry engagement and support for Travel Planners International. “As an industry — and this includes each and every travel advisor out there — we must do a better job promoting this as a business, not a transactional relationship with the consumer as a convenience.” 

Advisors are split on the question of whether they had adequate training when they joined the industry — 51% say yes and 49% no — but only 35% say they have a training/mentoring program for new agents. Last year, 30% said they had such a program.